Exhaust vent arrangement and method of operating the same

ABSTRACT

An exhaust vent assembly for a structure. The exhaust vent assembly can include a base supportable adjacent to the structure and having a raised rim defining an outlet of an exhaust flow channel and a cover moveably secured to the base for movement relative to the base between a closed position, in which the cover extends across the outlet substantially preventing exhaust flow through the outlet, and an opened position, in which the cover is moved away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow through the outlet. The vent assembly can also include a windbreak operable to prevent wind from moving the cover toward the opened position. The windbreak can include a first contour on the raised rim and a second contour on an adjacent edge of the cover.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vent assemblies and, more particularly,to vent assemblies for venting exhaust from a structure.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the invention provides an exhaust vent assembly fora structure including a base supportable on the structure and definingan exhaust outlet and a cover having a first end pivotably connected tothe base for pivoting movement relative to the base between a closedposition, in which the cover extends across the outlet and a second endof the cover contacts the base substantially preventing exhaust flowthrough the outlet, and an opened position, in which the second end ofthe cover is moved away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow throughthe outlet. The cover can have an arcuate exterior surface extendingsubstantially from the first end toward the second end and a raised lipextending along the second end of the cover.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides an exhaust ventassembly for a structure including a base supportable on the structure,defining an exhaust opening, having an interior periphery surroundingthe opening to at least partially define an interior region adjacent tothe opening, and having a rim extending outwardly from the interiorperiphery. The vent assembly can also include a cover having anoutermost perimeter. The cover can be connected to the base and bepivotable between a closed position, in which the outermost perimeter ispositioned substantially within the interior region, and an openedposition, in which at least a portion of the outermost perimeter ispositioned outside of the interior region. The vent assembly can furtherinclude a windbreak including a lip positioned along a portion of theoutermost perimeter of the cover and a recess positioned along the rimadjacent to the lip when the cover is in the closed position to preventunintended opening of the cover.

Also, the present invention provides an exhaust vent assembly for astructure including a base supportable adjacent to the structure andhaving a raised rim defining an outlet of an exhaust flow channel and acover moveably secured to the base for movement relative to the basebetween a closed position, in which the cover extends across the outletsubstantially preventing exhaust flow through the outlet, and an openedposition, in which the cover is moved away from the outlet to allowexhaust flow through the outlet. The vent assembly can also include awindbreak operable to prevent wind from moving the cover toward theopened position. The windbreak can include a first contour on the raisedrim and a second contour on an adjacent edge of the cover.

In addition, the present invention provides a method of venting exhaustfrom a structure, the method comprising the acts of providing a basedefining an outlet for exhaust from a conduit, the conduit extendingfrom a structure, pivoting a cover relative to the base in response toexhaust pressure from the conduit between a closed position, in whichthe cover extends over the outlet, and an opened position, in which adistal edge of the cover is moved away from the outlet to allow exhaustflow from the outlet, and directing wind across a windbreak and awayfrom the distal edge of the cover to prevent wind from moving the covertoward the opened position.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vent assembly according to someembodiments of the present invention prior to being mounted on a wall ofa structure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the vent assembly shown in FIG. 1with the cover in an opened position.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the vent assembly shown in FIG. 1with the cover in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a base of the vent shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the base taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a cover of the vent shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the cover shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” and “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,”“supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly andencompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, andcouplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted tophysical or mechanical connections or couplings.

In addition, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminologyused herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as,for example, terms like “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “lower”, “up,”“down,” etc.) are only used to simplify description of the presentinvention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or elementreferred to must have a particular orientation. The elements of thepresent invention can be installed and operated in any orientationdesired. In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used hereinfor purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or implyrelative importance or significance.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a vent assembly 20 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vent assembly 20 can beused to provide a conduit for exhaust gas through a structural barrier(e.g., from inside a building to outside a building). For the purpose ofthis description, “exhaust” will include the material conducted throughvent assembly 20, and “wall 22” will include the structural barrierthrough which the vent assembly 20 provides a conduit. However, itshould be appreciated that the structural barrier can, in otherembodiments, be a door, window, roof, among other things.

The vent assembly 20 can have an “opened” state which enables exhaust toflow from inside to outside the building through wall 22, and a “closed”state which prevents this flow. In some embodiments, the “opened” statecan also enable reverse flow (i.e., flow in the opposite direction(e.g., from outside to inside the building)). Similarly, the “closed”state can also prevent reverse flow in some embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vent assembly 20 can include a duct 24 which canprovide a closed conduit for exhaust produced by an appliance or othermachine, for example. In some embodiments, such as the one illustratedin FIG. 1, the duct 24 can be elongated and cylindrical in shape havinga distal end (not shown) and a proximal end 26. Such embodiments caninclude a deformable sleeve 28 that extends along at least a portion ofthe length of the duct 24; the basic cylindrical shape of the sleeve 28can be maintained by a helical reinforcement 30. Alternatively, thereinforcement 30 can comprise a set of rings spaced axially along thesleeve 28. The reinforcement 30 can be formed of metal, plastic, oranother suitable material. Similarly, the material which forms thedeformable sleeve 28 can constitute a wide range of materials rangingfrom naturally existing to man-made and, in some embodiments, canprovide thermal insulation between the exhaust within the duct 24 andthe environment surrounding the duct 24.

It is acknowledged that the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrates only oneparticular construction of a duct 24, while conduits of various sizes,shapes, and materials can provide similar utility in the presentinvention. For example, the duct 24 could alternatively includepolyvinyl chloride piping, a metal chute, or an elastic hose, amongother things. The duct 24 can be secured to an exhaust outlet of anappliance or other machine (not shown) with one or more fasteners (notshown). In some embodiments, the fasteners and/or the distal end of theduct 24 can provide a seal between the exhaust outlet of the applianceand the duct 24. Suitable fasteners can include but are not limited to:zip ties, adjustable collars, brackets, screws, bolts, etc.Alternatively or in addition, some type of adhesive (e.g., tape, glue,caulk, solder, braze, etc.) can be used to secure the distal end of theduct 24 to the exhaust source.

The proximal end 26 of the duct 24 can be attached to a duct adaptor orextension 32 as shown in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the duct24 and the adaptor 32 can together define a flow channel for theexhaust. The duct adaptor 32 can also provide a fitting to connect theduct 24 to a vent assembly 34, which will be described in greater detailbelow. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the adaptor 32can have substantially the same cylindrical shape as the duct 24 and canbe connected to the proximal end 26 of the duct 24 at a distal end 36 ofthe adaptor 32. The distal end 36 of the adaptor 32 can be secured tothe proximal end 26 of the duct 24 with the use of one or more suitablefasteners 38 and/or adhesive as discussed above in reference to theconnection of the distal end of the duct and an exhaust outlet.

The proximal end (not shown) of the adaptor 32 can be connected to avent opening 40 such that the adaptor 32 extends substantiallyperpendicularly from the vent 34, as shown in the illustratedembodiment. The proximal end of the adaptor 32 can include slots orsimilar elements which can be positioned to receive tabs, hooks, or thelike on the vent 34, in order to secure the adaptor 32 to the vent 34.These elements will be described in greater detail below. Alternativelyor in addition, tabs, hooks, or the like can be positioned on theproximal end of the adaptor 32 in order to be received by correspondingslots or similar elements on the vent 34. In a further embodiment, theadaptor 32 can be secured to the vent 34 by means described above withreference to the connection between the duct 24 and the exhaust outlet.

The adaptor 32 can be rigid or flexible, can have any of a number ofshapes and sizes, and can be formed of a wide variety of materials,including but not limited to those discussed above with respect to theduct 24. In the event that the proximal end 26 of the duct 24 and thevent opening have different cross-sectional areas or shapes, the adaptor32 can be designed to compensate for the differences. For example, theadaptor 32 can have a distal end 36 that corresponds to thecross-sectional area and shape of the duct 24 and a proximal end thatcorresponds to the cross-sectional area and shape of the vent opening.In some embodiments, the adaptor 32 can be formed from a rectangularsheet of metal having two opposite ends that can be connected to form acylinder. Each of the opposite ends can be provided with folds such thatwhen the opposite ends are brought together to form the cylinder, thefolds of one engage and catch those of the opposite to retain thecylindrical shape. The adaptor 32 and duct 24 of a particular embodimentcan be formed of the same or different materials and can be connected ina manner that is the same as or different from that in which the duct 24is attached to the exhaust outlet. In a further embodiment, the adaptor32 can be integrally formed with the duct 24. In a still furtherembodiment, the adaptor 32 can be integrally formed with the vent 34.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the vent assembly 34 caninclude a frame or base 42 having a front face 44 and a rear face 46.FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the base 42 according to some embodiments, inwhich the outlet or opening 40 is positioned (connecting the front andrear faces 44, 46) to enable exhaust to exit the flow channel throughthe vent 34. The opening 40 can have a generally circular shape as shownin the illustrated embodiments. However, the opening 40 can be any othershape or size that accommodates the exhaust flow and/or the proximal endof the ducting that the vent provides an outlet for. In someembodiments, the base 42 can be formed of any plastic or moldablesynthetic material in a single piece construction. Alternatively,certain elements of the base 42 (to be discussed in detail below) can beformed separately and molded together or connected by other means. Inother embodiments, the base 42 can be cast shaped or formed from a widevariety of other natural and/or man-made materials.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the base 42 can include flanges 48 andtabs 50 that surround the opening 40 and can extend substantiallyperpendicularly from the rear face 46. In some such embodiments, theflanges 48 and tabs can be integrally formed with the base 42. Theflanges 48 can provide a guide for the connection of the proximal end ofthe duct adaptor 32 to the base 42. Alternatively or in addition, theflanges 48 can provide structural support for the adaptor 32 and/orassistance in maintaining the connection between the vent 34 and theadaptor 32. The tabs 50 can be positioned to be received in slots (notshown) in the proximal end of the adaptor 32 in order to maintain theconnection between the components. In other embodiments, retainingelements such as hooks, clips, and/or other fasteners can take the placeof the tabs 50. Alternatively or in addition, the flanges 48 or anotherpart of the base 42 can include apertures to receive tabs or any othersimilar retaining elements provided in the proximal end of the adaptor32. As discussed above, in other embodiments, the adaptor 32 and thevent 34 can be connected, secured, and/or sealed by other means.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the opening 40 in thebase 42 can be surrounded by an interior surface 52 that issubstantially flat. In some embodiments, the surface 52 can includebosses 54 for screws, nails or the like so that the vent 34 can bemounted to the wall 22. In a further embodiment, the surface 52 can beshaped to correspond to the surface on which it is to be mounted. In astill further embodiment, the bosses 54 can be provided on another partof the base 42. Alternatively, integral fasteners can be provided forsecuring the base 42 to the wall 22. Also visible in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5,the interior surface 52 of the vent assembly 34 can include alaterally-extending ridge 56 that is positioned below the opening 40 andwhich can project substantially perpendicularly from the surface 52. Thefunction of the ridge 56 will be discussed in greater detail below.

As illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5, inner walls 58 can surround the surface52 forming an interior periphery and can be oriented from the surface 52in a direction that is at an angle to the inner surface 52. The innerwalls 58, together with the interior surface 52 can at least partiallyform a three-dimensional interior region 60. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, the portion of the interior region 60 defined by the surface52 and inner walls 58 can be substantially the shape of a rectangularprism. In some embodiments including the illustrated embodiment, a rim62 can extend outward at an angle from the inner walls 58. Further, asseen most clearly in FIG. 5, outer walls 64 can extend back from the rim62 to complete the frame of the opening 40. Other embodiments of thevent assembly do not require that a rim 62 or outer walls 64 surroundthe interior region 60. For example, in some embodiments of theinvention, a rim 62 can extend from only one of the inner walls 58 ofthe base 42.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base 42 can include minorprotrusions 66 on the interior surface 52 and apertures 68 at uppercorners of the interior region 60 between the interior surface 52 andthe inner walls 58. In other embodiments, the minor protrusions 66 andapertures 68 can be positioned in other locations within the innerregion 60. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the base 42 can include acontour that extends along a portion of the inner wall 58 and/or rim 62.In some embodiments, the contour can be a laterally-extending recess 70positioned between the inner wall 58 and the rim 62, and below the ridge56. The functions of the recess 70, along with those of the minorprotrusions 66 and apertures 68, will be discussed in greater detailbelow.

As illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, in addition to the base42, the vent assembly 34 can include a door or cover 72 having anoutermost perimeter 74 that is designed to fit substantially within theinterior region 60 of the base 42. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the cover72, according to some embodiments, can have a substantially rectangularshape as viewed from the front or rear, and as such can include an innerface 76 and an outer face 78. As will be described in further detaillater, in some embodiments, the inner face 76 can generally be in fluidcontact with exhaust from the duct 24, while the outer face 78 cangenerally be in fluid contact with outside air or wind.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, according to some embodiments, the cover 72can have a substantially rectangular shape as viewed from the front orrear, and as such can include a top edge 80, a bottom edge 82, and twoside edges 84, which are circumscribed by the outermost perimeter 74. Insome embodiments, the cover 72 can be formed of any plastic or moldablesynthetic material in a single piece construction. Alternatively,elements of the cover 72 can be formed separately and molded together orconnected by other means. In other embodiments, the cover 72 can be castor formed of a wide variety of other natural and/or man-made materialsand can take any of a number of shapes.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the vent assembly 34 in “opened” and “closed”positions or positions, respectively. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, the state of the vent 34 can depend on the position of thecover 72 with respect to the base 42. In the vent assembly 34 of FIGS. 2and 3, the cover 72 is connected to the base 42 and can pivot withrespect to the base 42. Specifically, posts 86 can extend from the sideedges 84 along the top edge 80 of the cover 72 as illustrated in FIGS. 6and 8. In some such embodiments, the posts 86 can extend through theapertures 68 in the base 42, such that the apertures 68 retain the cover72 and allow pivoting movement of the cover 72 about its top edge 80.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the posts 86 can extend from theside edges 84 at a location slightly below the top edge 80, in whichcase the cover 72 would rotate about an axis slightly below the top edge80. In a further embodiment, the apertures 68 can be replaced with blindholes in which the posts 86 are retained.

The posts 86 of some embodiments can include stops 88 that can extendfrom the cover 72 a distance along the posts 86 and can have a greaterdiameter than the apertures 68. As shown in the illustrated embodiment,the post stops 88 can compensate for any gap between the inner walls 58of the base 42 and side edges 84 of the cover 72 in order tosubstantially prevent lateral movement of the cover 72 with respect tothe base 42. In a similar fashion, minor protrusions 66 provided on thefront face 44 of the base 42 can compensate for any gap that may existbetween the cover 72 and the base 42, in order to prevent oscillationand accompanying noise. In the illustrated embodiment, the minorprotrusions 66 are provided along the top of the interior surface 52 tostabilize the top edge 80 of the cover 72. Alternatively or in addition,minor protrusions 66 can be provided at other locations on the base 42or cover 72 within the interior region 60 to serve the same purpose. Inother embodiments, foam or another similarly elastically deformablematerial can be provided alone or in combination with the elementsdiscussed above in order to restrict and/or dampen the movement of thecover 72 with respect to the base 42. Alternatively or in addition, suchmaterial can be provided in some embodiments to form a seal between thecover 72 and the base 42 in the “closed” position.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the cover 72 according tosome embodiments. As is evident from this perspective, in someembodiments, the cover 72 can have a contoured shape such that the innerface 76 is concave (FIG. 8) and the outer face 78 is convex (FIG. 6).Further, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the curvature of thecover 72 can be arcuate in shape and can be centered about a line (notshown) that runs laterally between the side edges 84 about half thedistance between the top edge 80 and the bottom edge 82. In someembodiments, the contoured shape of the inner face 76, can moreefficiently allow the cover 72 to rotate or pivot away from the “closed”and maintain an “opened” position when sufficient pressure of theexhaust flowing through the ducting contacts the inner face 76.

As most clearly visible in FIGS. 2 and 7, in some embodiments, the sideedges 84 of the cover 72 can extend substantially perpendicularly fromthe contoured face 76, 78. In such embodiments, when the vent 34 is in a“closed” position, the side edges 84 can be in contact with the interiorsurface 52 and substantially parallel to the inner walls 58 of the base42. As discussed above with respect to the contoured inner face 76 ofthe cover 72, the side edges 84 can also more efficiently allow thecover 72 to rotate away from the “closed” position and maintain an“opened” position.

As shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments of the vent assembly, a roundedlip 90 can extend laterally along the bottom edge 82 of the outer face78 of the cover 72. As the illustrated embodiment shows, the lip 90 cancorrespond to a rounded depression 92 that can extend laterally alongthe bottom edge 82 of the inner face 76. Also in some embodiments, astrip of foam 94 or a similar elastically deformable material can beadhered to the inner face 76 of the cover 72 in the depression 92 asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In some embodiments, the foam 94 can muffle thesound of the vent 34 closing. Alternatively or in addition, the foam 94can at least partially form a seal with the laterally-extending ridge 56on the interior surface 52 of the base 42 when the vent 34 is “closed”.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the bottom edge 82 of thecover 72 is positioned within rim 62 of the base 42 (i.e., within theinterior region 60) in the “closed” position. This particulararrangement of elements can help to ensure that wind, birds and smallanimals can not move the cover 72 to open the vent 34. Further, in theillustrated embodiment, the recess 70 in the base 42 can direct aircurrents flowing around outside the vent 34 to prevent them from openingthe vent 34. The lip 90 on the outer face 78 of the cover 72 and/or thecontour of the outer face 78 can perform the same function alone, or incombination with the recess 70. As such, the outer face 78 of the cover72, the recess 70, and/or the lip 90 can serve as a windbreak 96 for thevent assembly 34. In other embodiments, the windbreak 96 can include aprotruding ledge on the upper edge of the recess 70 that guides aircurrents away from the bottom edge 82 of the cover 72. In furtherembodiments the foam 94, and in still further embodiments, the ridge 56on the interior surface 52 of the base, can also prevent outside aircurrents from moving the cover 72 from the “closed” position. Thus, theshape of the front face 44 of the base 42, the outer face 78 of thecover 72, and the position of these elements with respect to each othercan prevent the vent 34 from being opened from outside.

As discussed briefly above, the shape of the inner face 76 of the cover72, alone, or in conjunction with the side edges 84, can facilitate theopening of the vent 34 from inside (i.e., in order for exhaust to bevented). A certain amount of fluid (i.e., exhaust) pressure against theconcave inner face 76 of the cover 72 can break the seal between thelaterally-extending ridge 56 and the foam 94, if necessary and cause thecover 72 to rotate against gravity into an “opened” position. Further,in some embodiments, these elements, alone, or in combination with thestrip of foam 94 positioned adjacent the bottom edge 82 of the cover 72can prevent the cover 72 from closing prematurely or from oscillatingseverely due to pressure fluctuations. Thus, the shape of the inner face76, the side edges 84 of the cover 72, and the position of theseelements with respect to each other can allow the vent 34 to be openedefficiently from inside.

As discussed above, corresponding designs of the base 42 and cover 72can allow the vent assembly 34 to switch between “opened” and “closed”positions within a particular pressure level window. In summary, adesign such as that of the illustrated embodiment, can enable a vent 34to maintain a “closed” position until exhaust pressure builds to acertain level (regardless of the air currents outside the vent), atwhich point, the vent 34 opens and remains in an “opened” position untilthe exhaust pressure decreases to a certain level, and the vent 34closes to prevent reverse flow.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, other alternative embodiments will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art and are within the intended scope of the presentinvention.

1. An exhaust vent assembly for a structure, the exhaust vent assemblycomprising: a base supportable on the structure and defining an exhaustoutlet; and a cover having a first end pivotably connected to the basefor pivoting movement relative to the base between a closed position, inwhich the cover extends across the outlet and a second end of the covercontacts the base substantially preventing exhaust flow through theoutlet, and an opened position, in which the second end of the cover ismoved away from the outlet to allow exhaust flow through the outlet; thecover having an arcuate exterior surface extending substantially fromthe first end toward the second end and a raised lip extending along thesecond end of the cover.
 2. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 1,wherein the curvature of the arcuate surface is centered about an axisthat is substantially parallel to an edge of the second end of thecover.
 3. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner surfaceof the cover is substantially concave and the exterior surface of thecover is substantially convex.
 4. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 1,the cover further comprising side edges extending between the first andsecond ends and positioned substantially perpendicularly with respect tothe arcuate surface of the cover.
 5. The exhaust vent assembly of claim4, wherein the side edges and the second end of the cover at leastpartially define a scoop, and wherein, when the exhaust enters thescoop, the exhaust moves the cover from the closed position toward theopened position.
 6. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 1, and furthercomprising a strip of elastically deformable material positioned betweenthe second end of the cover and the base when the cover is in the closedposition.
 7. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 6, wherein the strip ofelastically deformable material is positioned along a depression formedon an interior surface of the second end of the cover opposite to thelip.
 8. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 7, wherein the base furthercomprises a ridge which at least partially forms a seal with the stripof elastically deformable material when the cover is in the closedposition.
 9. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 1, wherein the baseincludes an interior periphery surrounding the opening to at leastpartially define an interior region adjacent to the opening and a rimextending outwardly from the interior periphery, and wherein the rimsubstantially surrounds an outer perimeter of the cover, when the coveris in the closed position.
 10. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 9,wherein posts pivotably connect opposite sides of the first end of thecover to the rim, and wherein stops extend laterally from the postsbetween the cover and the rim to substantially prevent movement of thecover with respect to the base in a direction substantially parallel tothe posts.
 11. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 1, wherein protrusionsextend outwardly from one of the rim and the first end of the cover andcontact an other of the rim and the first end of the cover tosubstantially prevent movement of the cover relative to the base in adirection substantially parallel to the exhaust flow from the outlet.12. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover includes aninterior periphery surrounding the opening to at least partially definean interior region adjacent to the opening and a rim extending outwardlyfrom a the interior periphery, and wherein a recess extends along therim adjacent to the lip when the cover is in the closed position toprevent unintended opening of the vent.
 13. The exhaust vent assembly ofclaim 12, wherein the raised lip extending along the second end of thecover and the recess extending along the rim together at least partiallydefine a windbreak operable to prevent unintended opening of the cover.14. An exhaust vent assembly for a structure, the exhaust vent assemblycomprising: a base supportable on the structure, defining an exhaustopening, having an interior periphery surrounding the opening to atleast partially define an interior region adjacent to the opening, andhaving a rim extending outwardly from the interior periphery; a coverhaving an outermost perimeter, the cover connected to the base and beingpivotable between a closed position, in which the outermost perimeter ispositioned substantially within the interior region, and an openedposition, in which at least a portion of the outermost perimeter ispositioned outside of the interior region; and a windbreak including alip positioned along a portion of the outermost perimeter of the coverand a recess positioned along the rim adjacent to the lip when in theclosed position to prevent unintended opening of the cover.
 15. Theexhaust vent of claim 14, wherein the base and the cover are each ofone-piece construction.
 16. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 14,wherein an inner surface of the cover is substantially concave and theexterior surface of the cover is substantially convex.
 17. The exhaustvent assembly of claim 14, wherein a first end of the cover is pivotablyconnected to the base and a second end is moveable away from the base toallow exhaust flow out of the outlet, and the cover further comprisingside edges extending between the first and second ends along an interiorside of the cover.
 18. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 17, whereinthe side edges and the second end of the cover at least partially definea scoop, and wherein, when the exhaust enters the scoop, the exhaustmoves the cover from the closed position toward the opened position. 19.The exhaust vent assembly of claim 14, and further comprising anelastically deformable material positioned along a depression formed onan interior surface of a distal end of the cover opposite to the lip.20. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 19, wherein the base furthercomprises a ridge which at least partially forms a seal with theelastically deformable material when the cover is in the closedposition.
 21. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 14, wherein postspivotably connect opposite sides of the cover to the rim, and whereinstops extend laterally from the posts between the cover and the rim tosubstantially prevent movement of the cover with respect to the base ina direction substantially parallel to the posts.
 22. The exhaust ventassembly of claim 21, wherein protrusions extend outwardly from one ofthe rim and the cover and contact an other of the rim and the cover tosubstantially prevent movement of the cover relative to the base in adirection substantially parallel to the exhaust flow from the outlet.23. An exhaust vent assembly for a structure, the exhaust vent assemblycomprising: a base supportable adjacent to the structure and having araised rim defining an outlet of an exhaust flow channel; a covermoveably secured to the base for movement relative to the base between aclosed position, in which the cover extends across the outletsubstantially preventing exhaust flow through the outlet, and an openedposition, in which the cover is moved away from the outlet to allowexhaust flow through the outlet; and a windbreak operable to preventwind from moving the cover toward the opened position, wherein thewindbreak comprises a first contour on the raised rim and a secondcontour on an adjacent edge of the cover.
 24. The exhaust vent assemblyof claim 23, wherein the cover is moveably secured to the base along atop edge of the cover and the second contour extends along a bottom edgeof the cover.
 25. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 24, wherein alength of the first contour in a direction substantially parallel to thebottom edge of the cover is substantially equal to a length of thesecond contour.
 26. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 23, wherein anelastically deformable material is secured to the cover adjacent thewindbreak in order to further prevent wind from moving the cover towardthe opened position.
 27. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 26, whereina first end of the cover is pivotably connected to the base and a secondend is moveable away from the base to allow exhaust flow out of theoutlet, and wherein the strip of elastically deformable material ispositioned along a depression formed on an interior surface of thesecond end of the cover opposite to the second contour.
 28. The exhaustvent assembly of claim 26, wherein the base further comprises a ridgewhich at least partially forms a seal with the strip of elasticallydeformable material when the cover is in the closed position.
 29. Theexhaust vent assembly of claim 23, wherein the cover has an arcuateexterior surface extending substantially from the first end toward thesecond end and a raised lip extending along the second end of the cover.30. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 23, wherein an inner surface ofthe cover is substantially concave and the exterior surface of the coveris substantially convex.
 31. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 23, thecover further comprising side edges extending between the first andsecond ends and positioned substantially perpendicularly with respect toan interior of the cover.
 32. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 23,wherein a first end of the cover is pivotably connected to the base anda second end is moveable away from the base to allow exhaust flow out ofthe outlet, and wherein the side edges and the second end of the coverat least partially define a scoop, and wherein, when the exhaust entersthe scoop, the exhaust moves the cover from the closed position towardthe opened position.
 33. The exhaust vent assembly of claim 23, whereinposts pivotably connect opposite sides of the cover to the rim, andwherein stops extend laterally from the posts between the cover and therim to substantially prevent movement of the cover with respect to thebase in a direction substantially parallel to the posts.
 34. The exhaustvent assembly of claim 33, wherein protrusions extend outwardly from oneof the rim and the first end of the cover and contact an other of therim and the first end of the cover to substantially prevent movement ofthe cover relative to the base in a direction substantially parallel tothe exhaust flow from the outlet.
 35. The exhaust vent assembly of claim23, wherein the cover has an outermost perimeter, and wherein, when thecover is in the closed position, the rim surrounds the outermostperimeter.
 36. A method of venting exhaust from a structure, the methodcomprising the acts of: providing a base defining an outlet for exhaustfrom a conduit, the conduit extending from a structure; pivoting a coverrelative to the base in response to exhaust pressure from the conduitbetween a closed position, in which the cover extends over the outlet,and an opened position, in which a distal edge of the cover is movedaway from the outlet to allow exhaust flow from the outlet; anddirecting wind across a windbreak and away from the distal edge of thecover to prevent wind from moving the cover toward the opened position.37. The method of claim 36, wherein directing wind across the windbreakincludes directing wind across a first contour provided on a raised rimof the base and across a second contour provided on an adjacent edge ofthe cover.